
Your Odyssey
I decided to create a simple, 100-page blank journal with quotes from my debut book. Why? Because writing is important. It helps us process our feelings, reminds us of significant moments, and aids in reconciling our emotions with the world—whether it’s beautiful or devastating. It allows us to genuinely feel…
Living Amongst Chaos
Finding meaning in day-to-day life, especially when confronted with the harsh realities of the current state of the world, can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Even with the constant barrage of news, opinions, and disturbing videos, it’s important to ground ourselves and our emotions…
Shadows Of War
Both of my parents left Lebanon in 1976. They were young; my father at the time was only 19. They met here, fell in love, got married, and started a family. But they both were driven to leave Lebanon—my father on his own, and my mother with her parents and siblings—because of the looming threat of the war in Lebanon…
My Father’s Kite
The song “Kite” by U2 resonates deeply within me, reflecting the bond I share with my dad and the profound transitions in my life. Its lyrics mirror the lessons he instilled in me — the delicate balance between control and surrender, steering our destinies while embracing life’s unpredictabilities. Now, that very kite symbolizes my journey, a journey intertwined with the teachings of my father…
SPARKLE OF A Last Tear
With ‘You’re Already Dead’ coming out soon, I thought I’d share how this book came to be. Here I am, nearly three years after writing the first page of the first idea when I thought about the title…
Fatherhood
In the areas my father thrived in his role as a dad, I drew inspiration. Where he stumbled in fatherhood, not from intent but simply from not knowing, I saw those gaps. For my children, I’m determined to fill them.
The Timeless Philosophy of Embracing Change
Change is an intrinsic part of our very existence. As the ancient philosopher Heraclitus mused, “Life is flux.” Indeed, everything around us is in a constant state of transformation. Heraclitus’ insight that resisting the inevitable flow of life goes against our very nature rings particularly true in our current era of rapid and unpredictable change.
Thank you, Paul
When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir written by Paul Kalanithi. It brought me to tears and made a profound impact on my idea of time, and how we ultimately spend one rotation of the Earth and one orbit around the sun…
Empathy & Leadership
With all the experience I’ve had in business and work in the last 20 years, I have noticed that the best bosses were the empathetic ones. When I say best, I don’t mean the easiest to work with, I mean the ones who actually pushed for personal growth alongside results for the organization…
From Edmonton to Chouaya: A Journey of Remembrance and Honour
As we journey through life, we are often called to reflect on where we've come from and where we're headed. Over 10 years ago I embarked on a journey, both physical and spiritual, from Edmonton to Chouya, a village in South Lebanon. The reason for my journey was a solemn one: to lay my father to rest…
The Nuclear Chain Reaction Visionary
With all the Hype surrounding the Oppenheimer movie, I wanted to introduce you to an awesome and entertaining podcast series by the BBC, The Bomb. If Oppenheimer is considered the father of the bomb, then Szilard would be it’s grandfather…
Steve Jobs’ Guide to Success: Three Powerful Lessons
During his ten-year tenure at Apple, Justin Santamaria had the privilege of working closely with the visionary Steve Jobs. From this experience, he gained invaluable insights that have shaped his career and life. Let’s explore three profound lessons Justin learned from Jobs about achieving success in any endeavour.
The Summer of Katya
I’ve read countless books, yet remember few. This is one I can’t ever forget. Without giving away too much, The Summer of Katya was written by Trevanian (a pen name of Rodney William Whitaker). First published in 1983, it is set in the early 20th century in the Pyrenees region of France and tells the story of a young doctor named Jean-Marc Montjean. He falls in love with a mysterious and troubled woman named Katya, who is haunted by a tragic past. As Jean-Marc becomes entangled in Katya's world, he unravels dark secrets and confronts his own inner demons. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human nature…
The growth mind-set: Why friends, family and work make a difference
Mindset plays a significant role in personal growth and success. It can be divided into fixed and growth mindsets, where a fixed mindset views intelligence as unchangeable while a growth mindset believes in the potential for development through effort. Research shows that mindsets can vary and be influenced by external factors like the environment and social pressures. Creating supportive environments, providing constructive feedback, and embracing challenges can foster a growth mindset. Understanding the impact of mindset and encouraging a belief in personal growth can lead to improved outcomes and a more fulfilling journey of development.
Why adults should read children's books
The importance of children's fiction and its relevance for readers of all ages as explained by Author Katherine Rundell. The author describes how they write for both their 12-year-old self and their adult self, aiming to satisfy the different desires and needs of both. They believe that children's books are not exclusively for children but also provide valuable lessons and reminders for adults.
The entrepreneurs celebrating their past failures
A story of entrepreneurs sharing their mistakes at an event in Toronto. It focuses on the global movement of discussing failures, learning from them, and building connections among entrepreneurs. By embracing failure and sharing experiences, attendees find inspiration and connect with others facing similar challenges. The movement aims to shift the focus from celebrating success to openly discussing and learning from failures, fostering resilience and personal growth in the entrepreneurial community.
The alchemist within
Discovering Paulo Coelho's books at the right moment left an indelible mark on my soul. From the wisdom of The Alchemist to the tales of self-discovery in Brida, By The River Piedra I Sat And Wept, and his other works, Coelho's stories ignited my passion for literature and sparked a transformative journey of self-reflection, growth, and embracing the alchemist within. His writings taught me the power of self-awareness, vulnerability, and aligning actions with core values. Coelho's influence, alongside authors like Kahlil Gibran, inspired my love for writing, for which I am profoundly grateful.
Freelancing Across Multiple Industries: How To Pitch Yourself As A Jack-Of-All-Trades
Insightful article by Ginny Hogan via Forbes! As a freelancer with diverse skills, marketing yourself can be challenging. Identify your strengths, craft a concise pitch, create a versatile portfolio, customize pitches, network extensively, stay updated, and enjoy the journey.
How a 'beginners’ mindset' can help you learn anything.
An amazing article from the BBC about learning. Tom Vanderbilt, who embarked on a year-long journey to learn various skills. Vanderbilt discovered that adults can still learn and benefit from neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to new challenges. The article highlights the importance of learning from mistakes, embracing varied practice, and sharing knowledge with others. The benefits of lifelong learning include cognitive improvements, increased creativity, and intellectual humility. We can always strive to learn, even if we think we are too old, or even worse, that we know everything already. Visit the link to read it in full.